Texas House Bill 135

Feb 18, 2019 | 2019 Blog

A bill to support! Texas HB135 puts a halt to radical animal rights groups misleading legislators with their “traveling animal act” and “animal performance” bans. Across the country, we have seen these bans proposed at both local and state levels. Some states have already passed these superfluous laws.

Instead of enforcing current animal welfare and cruelty laws, legislators are being duped into passing laws which lump animal educators into the same category as animal abusers, with the same penalties, jail time, and fines. As examples, California is currently proposing a $25,000 fine for taking a llama to a 4-H or state fair and Illinois has introduced a bill that would slap a Class A misdemeanor on someone for taking a Greek Tortoise or leopard gecko into a school to teach students about reptiles.

However, Texas State Representative James White sees through the scam and is going in the opposite direction to stop these overreaching proposals. HB135 has been assigned to the County Affairs Committee.

Please contact the Committee members and let them know you support this bill. You can read the bill at the bottom of this page or at www.usark.org/2019-tx-hb135/.

Sample Messaging

Email list:

garnet.coleman@house.texas.gov, Jonathan.Stickland@house.texas.gov, dwayne.bohac@house.texas.gov,
charles.anderson@house.texas.gov, kyle.biedermann@house.texas.gov, sheryl.cole@house.texas.gov,
alex.dominguez@house.texas.gov, dan.huberty@house.texas.gov, jon.rosenthal@house.texas.gov

Subject line:

Support for HB135

Sample letter:

Dear Texas House County Affairs Committee Members,

As a dedicated advocate for animal welfare, I implore you to support House Bill 135. My United States is becoming a playground for radical animal rights groups and I am glad to see that Texas is stepping up to stop them. Thank you!

HB135 has numerous benefits. It allows devoted educators to continue teaching children about the amazing animals in our world. It prevents bans on animals at 4-H and state fairs. And so much more!

Good people who responsibly work with animals are being targeted across our country. Educators, farmers, pet owners, ranchers, zoos, and every other entity or person with an interest in animals is at risk. We are losing our freedoms and rights but you can help stop it!

Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter. Hopefully, you will do what is right for Texas, the animals, and responsible animal educators by supporting HB135. Vote YES to HB135! Have a good day.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME HERE]

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Bill text:

AN ACT relating to regulation of working animals by counties and municipalities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION Chapter 250, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 250.009 to read as follows:

Sec. 250.009. WORKING ANIMAL BAN PROHIBITED. A county or municipality may not adopt or enforce a
charter provision, ordinance, order, or other regulation that prohibits, directly or indirectly, the use of an
animal for the purpose of performing a specific duty for a business, including entertainment, transportation,
education, or exhibition.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to
each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote
necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2019. [Of course, the bill must complete
the legislative process first.]

Cart

Make A Donation

If you would like to donate to the cause without a membership, use the donate button to do so.




Join Our Mailing List

* indicates required





Become A member